Head-to-head · Best Cordless Drills

Makita 18V LXT Brushless Cordless Compact Drill/Driver vs Makita 18V LXT Brushless Cordless Hammer Drill/Driver

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Makita 18V LXT Brushless Cordless Compact Drill/Driver comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.4 vs 4.1). The gap is mostly about DIYers prioritizing driving performance and battery life — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Cordless Drills

Makita 18V LXT Brushless Cordless Compact Drill/Driver

4.4

3 sources2 derived$189as of Aug 3

Makita's XFD14Z is the compact 18V LXT drill/driver: brushless, two speeds, 65 Nm and a 21-position clutch in a 2.9 lb body. It is strongest driving fasteners and doing light drilling, where TechGearLab scored it 4 out of 5 and placed it near the top of its drill comparison, and its runtime is unusually good for a compact battery. Large hole saws are the exception; the drill drops into low gear, slows right down and empties the pack. Best for someone already on the 18V LXT platform who wants a small drill for fasteners and pilot holes rather than sustained heavy cutting.

Strengths

— Excellent performance driving fasteners with 21 torque settings for control
— Great battery life with 2Ah battery tested
— Short length design for use in confined spaces

Watch-outs

— Struggled with larger hole saw applications requiring lower gear
— Heavier than some competitors in the category

$189 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #7 in Best Cordless Drills

Makita 18V LXT Brushless Cordless Hammer Drill/Driver

4.1

3 sources2 derived$179as of Aug 1

The Makita XPH07T 1/2" Cordless Hammer Drill/Driver earned a score of 8.6/10 in Pro Tool Reviews' extensive shootout, praised for its high torque output of 1,090 inch-pounds and smooth performance. Reviewers noted its stability under load thanks to the long side handle and minimal vibration. The tool's 21-position chuck and auxiliary handle enhance usability, though it's limited to 3-inch hole saws and weighs 5.1 pounds with a 5.0 Ah battery. While it performs well in value comparisons, some reviewers noted the weight could be a drawback for prolonged use.

Strengths

— Delivers 1,090 inch-pounds of torque, exceeding the 1000 inch-pounds barrier
— Features a long side handle that improves stability and control under load
— Smooth performance with minimal vibration transfer during operation

Watch-outs

— Only rated for 3-inch hole saws, limiting its use with larger cuts
— Weight of 5.1 pounds (with 5.0 Ah battery) may be cumbersome for extended use

$179 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Makita 18V LXT Brushless Cordless Compact Drill/Driver

The Makita 18V LXT Brushless Cordless Compact Drill/Driver excels in driving performance and battery life compared to the Bosch 12V Max or Ryobi ONE+, but it's heavier and less powerful than the Milwaukee M18 FUEL. Unlike the DEWALT 20V MAX XR, it struggles with larger hole saw applications, making it less versatile than the DEWALT hammer drill.

Makita 18V LXT Brushless Cordless Hammer Drill/Driver

The Makita 18V LXT Brushless Cordless Hammer Drill/Driver delivers more torque than the DEWALT 20V MAX XR or Ryobi ONE+, but it's heavier and less versatile than the Milwaukee M12 FUEL. It's not as powerful as the Milwaukee M18 FUEL, but it's more capable than the Bosch 12V Max for heavy-duty drilling tasks.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Makita 18V LXT Brushless Cordless Compact Drill/Driver	Makita 18V LXT Brushless Cordless Hammer Drill/Driver
Battery Voltage	18V LXT	18V LXT
No-Load Speed	2-speed (0-500/0-2000 RPM)	2-speed
Clutch Settings	21 torque settings	—
Motor Type	Brushless	Brushless
Torque	65 Nm	1,090 inch-pounds
Weight	2.9 lb	5.1 lb
Voltage	18 volts	18 volts
Chuck Size	1/2 inch	21-position

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